Sports Desk, May 9 (EFE).- Substitute Joselu struck twice late on to seal a stunning comeback victory for Real Madrid against Bayern München in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal on Wednesday and set up a final against Borussia Dortmund.
Real Madrid’s Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior (C) controls the ball with Bayern players Manuel Joshua Kimmich (L) and Konrad Laimer, during the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, in Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Madrid, Spain, 08 May 2024. EFE-EPA/Juanjo Martín
Real were on the brink of elimination at Santiago Bernabeu after substitute Alphonso Davies put Bayern ahead in the 68th minute, but Joselu turned the game around with goals in the 88th and 91st minutes to hand the Madrid side a 2-1 win.
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (R) clears the ball from Real Madrid’s Brazilian striker Rodrygo, during the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, in Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Madrid, Spain, 08 May 2024. EFE-EPA/J.J.Guillen
Unlike the 2-2 draw in Munich, Carlo Ancelotti’s men were determined to dominate the game early, and with Vinicius Junior, who scored both goals in the first leg, leading the attack, they were truly in control.
Bayern Munich’s Canadian midfielder, Alphonso Davies (C), drives the ball past Real Madrid players, Dani Carvajal (R) and Uruguayan Fede Valverde during the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, in Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Madrid, Spain, 08 May 2024. EFE-EPA/Juanjo Martín
The Brazilian tested Manuel Neuer with his first effort during an intense opening period, forcing the veteran goalkeeper to turn a low strike before recovering swiftly to gather the low strike of Rodrgyo’s attempt from the rebound.
Bayern had to wait until half an hour to respond as Harry Kane volleyed toward goal, forcing Andriy Lunin to go at full stretch to tip the ball away.
Vinicius cut in from the left touchline to race into the area before picking out Rodrygo, who could only prod wide.
Neuer then saved Rodrygo’s curling free-kick before Vinicius forced an acrobatic save from him.
Bayern responded to each action of speed and dribbling by Vinicius with the first warning from Davies, who came in as a first-half replacement for the injured Serge Gnabry, and a shot from Kane that Lunin saved.
Lunin, however, could do nothing to stop Davies from scoring midway through the second half.
The Canadian raced onto Kane’s lofted ball from just inside the Bayern half, dropped his shoulder to deceive Antonio Rudiger, and shifted possession onto his right before curling his effort in.
Real had 21 minutes to react to the blow, and Ancelotti quickly modified his plan, bringing in Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric for Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos.
The hosts thought they had equalized in the 72nd minute after Fede Valverde’s shot took a deflection off Konrad Laimer and went in.
But VAR disallowed the goal as Nacho pushed Joshua Kimmich before the ball entered the post.
With 88 minutes on the clock, Joselu, who came to the field with just 10 minutes remaining, reacted sharply to turn the ball home after Neuer was unable to hold a powerful shot from Vinicius.
It revived the memory of Real’s semifinal turnaround against Manchester City two years ago, when substitute Rodrygo struck twice late on to take the side home.
History repeated at the Bernabeu as Joselu pounced for his second in added time, guiding Rudiger’s low center home.
The goal was initially ruled out for off-side, but VAR confirmed it was valid, sending the home crowd into delirium.
“Well, it’s happened again. It’s happened so often. Fans who push us on, a fantastic stadium, players who never stop believing – it’s simply something magical,” said Real’s delighted coach, Carlo Ancelotti.
“As soon as we scored one, I absolutely knew we would, and could, go after the winner and actually get it. It’s difficult, maybe impossible to explain, but I’ll try. It’s magic,” he added.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel had no regrets.
“It’ll take a while to recover, but on the one hand, it’s a loss where we left it all out on the pitch. No regrets,” he said, speaking to DAZN.
Real will face Dortmund in the final in search of their 15th Champions League title at Wembley Stadium on June 1. EFE
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